There is always a risk of medical errors, no matter who you are. The widow of Chris Cornell is suing over his death. Cornell, best known as a member of the band Soundgarden, struggled with anxiety. He was also prone to addiction, according to his wife.
She claims that her husband’s doctor overprescribed Ativan, an anti-anxiety medication, even though he was aware of his propensity toward addiction. The doctor also allegedly failed to tell the singer about the risks of using the drugs over an extended period. Some side effects can include thoughts of suicide.
Cornell’s wife claims that the doctor also allowed staff members, none of whom were physicians, to order hundreds of doses of the medication for her husband. She claims there was no need, medical indication or patient evaluation that would have supported the continued use of the drug.
In May, Cornell was discovered deceased a few hours after a concern. A toxicology report showed that Ativan was one of the drugs in his system at the time of his death but that it was not the cause of his death. The doctor maintains that the singer was prescribed the appropriate dosage of medication with the appropriate frequency.
It is always a tragedy when a person dies from taking prescribed medications. It’s important for medical providers to take diagnoses and appointments seriously, so they can monitor their patients and decide if the medications are right for them at that time in their lives. When they fail to do that, patients and loved ones can hold medical professionals liable by filing a medical malpractice claim against them.